Take a new approach and slow it down

Staff Reporter|Published 5 months ago

Slow gardening ‒ stopping to watch the butterflies flit about or smell the roses ‒ is about embracing the joy of creating your garden at your own pace. Known for its soothing scent and calming properties, lavender is a slow grower that attracts pollinators and offers year-round beauty.

Ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of a perfectly manicured garden? You’re not alone.

Slow gardening is a refreshing antidote to the pressure of keeping up with the Joneses. It’s about ditching the strict checklists and embracing the joy of nurturing plants at your own pace. Think of it as a mindful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, where you can reconnect with nature and find inner peace.

Being part of nature in your own garden is good for you and the planet.

What is slow gardening?

Think of slow gardening as a mindful escape from the fast-paced world and fully immersing yourself in the beauty of your garden. Whether you’re tending to your plants, watching butterflies flutter, or simply soaking up the sunshine, slow gardening encourages you to be present in the moment.

Forget about achieving the perfect garden; it’s about enjoying the journey and celebrating the unique beauty of your green space.

The benefits of slow gardening

Slow gardening isn’t just about plants; it’s about nurturing your mind, body, and soul.

Mental well-being: Spending time outdoors, soaking up the sunshine, and focusing on simple tasks helps reduce anxiety and improve mental clarity. The simple act of tending to plants can help you unwind and find inner peace.

Sunflowers are bright and cheery additions to gardens, attract pollinators and are beautiful cut flowers.

Physical relaxation: Gardening is the perfect low-impact workout. Plus, you’ll be spending more time outdoors, soaking up that vitamin D.

Good for the planet: When you garden sustainably, you’re not just helping yourself ‒ you’re also giving back to the Earth.

Slow gardening activities to try

Here are some mindful gardening activities to incorporate into your slow gardening practice:

Sowing seeds: There’s something instantly soothing about sowing seeds. From the moment you press a tiny seed into the soil, you’re investing in the future. Watching seeds sprout and grow is deeply satisfying in a way that shop-bought plants just can’t match.

Zinnias not only liven up the garden, they are also ideal cut flowers.

Planting a cut flower garden: Swopping shop-bought bouquets for home-grown blooms is a delightful slow gardening practice. Not only does it reduce waste, but it also encourages a connection with nature’s rhythms. Plant flowers like sunflowers, cosmos or zinnias in your garden and enjoy watching them bloom over time. The joy of cutting your own bouquet for your kitchen table far exceeds the convenience of buying one from the store.

Bees are important pollenators and should be welcomed and enjoyed in your garden.

Observing nature’s wonders: One of the hallmarks of slow gardening is taking time to observe. From watching the butterflies flit between flowers to hearing the hum of bees at work, slow gardening invites you to notice the life that thrives around you.

Creating a compost pile: Composting is a sustainable way to reduce waste and create nutrient-rich fertiliser for your garden. It’s a slow process that requires patience, but the rewards are worth it.

Pruning and deadheading is a gentle task to enjoy while getting some vitamin D.

Pruning and deadheading: These gentle tasks allow you to connect with your plants on a deeper level. It’s like giving them a little TLC.

Creating a wildlife habitat: Dedicate a section of your garden to wildlife by planting native shrubs, leaving logs for insects or installing a birdbath. It’s a rewarding experience that will bring your garden to life.

Easy-to-grow herbs like basil, thyme and rosemary add a burst of flavour to your dishes.

Growing herbs: Herbs like rosemary, thyme and basil are perfect for slow gardeners. They’re low-maintenance, easy to grow, and add a burst of flavour to your dishes. Plus, harvesting them yourself is a mindful experience that connects you to the food you eat.

A herb garden can include pretty edible flowers like nasturtiums.

Your garden doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. Let go of the pressure to achieve the ideal and focus on creating a space that brings you joy. Instead of strict to-do lists and tight schedules, slow gardening permits you to garden at your own pace.

Aloes are indigenous to South Africa, are drought resistant, require minimal care and produce huge splashes of colour when they bloom. Using logs can also create mini-ecological spaces for garden wildlife.

Plants perfect for slow gardening

Aloe: Indigenous to South Africa, aloes are drought-resistant and require minimal care.

Spekboom is easy to care for, excellent for carbon capture and provides lovely flowers when in bloom.

Spekboom (Portulacaria afra): This succulent is not only easy to care for but also excellent for carbon capture, making it an eco-friendly choice.

Erica (heath): These plants thrive in well-drained soil and are perfect for attracting birds and bees.

Lavender: Known for its soothing scent and calming properties, lavender is a slow grower that attracts pollinators and offers year-round beauty.

Salvia is great for slow gardening, offering low maintenance and bright blooms while being drought resistant and a great attraction for bees and butterflies.

Salvia: This hardy plant is drought-resistant and attracts bees and butterflies. It’s low-maintenance and offers vibrant blooms.

Agapanthus, often called Lily of the Nile, bloom with minimal care.

Agapanthus: Often called the “Lily of the Nile”, agapanthus is a South African native that blooms with minimal care.

Lemon tree: Growing a lemon tree in your garden is a long-term investment that offers fragrant flowers and delicious fruit.

Blueberry bushes require specific soil conditions, but where they do grow they reward you with delicious fruit.

Blueberries: Blueberry bushes are slow-growing and require specific soil conditions, but they reward you with delicious fruit.

Fig tree: Figs are well-suited to the South African climate and thrive with minimal water.

Garden Therapy

Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting, slow gardening offers a way to nurture both your plants and your well-being. So, grab your gloves, take a deep breath, and let slow gardening help you reconnect with nature, one peaceful moment at a time.

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